§ 326.32 - What are the selection criteria for evaluating applications for research and evaluation projects?

The Secretary uses the criteria in this section to evaluate applications for research and evaluation projects, including projects submitted under § 326.30 (a), (c), (d), (f), (g), and (h). The maximum score for all of the criteria is 100 points.

(a) Plan of operation. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the quality of the plan of operation for the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) High quality in the design of the project;

(ii) An effective plan of management that insures proper and efficient administration of the project;

(iii) A clear description of how the objectives of the project relate to the purpose of the program;

(iv) The way the applicant plans to use its resources and personnel to achieve each objective; and

(v) A clear description of how the applicant will provide equal access and treatment for eligible project participants who are members of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as—

(A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;

(B) Women;

(C) Individuals with disabilities; and

(D) The elderly.

(b) Quality of key personnel. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the qualifications of the key personnel the applicant plans to use on the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) The qualifications of the project director (if one is to be used);

(ii) The qualifications of each of the other key personnel to be used in the project;

(iii) The time that each person referred to in paragraphs (b)(2) (i) and (ii) of this section will commit to the project; and

(iv) The extent to which the applicant, as part of its nondiscriminatory employment practices, encourages applications for employment from persons who are members of groups that have been traditionally underrepresented, such as—

(A) Members of racial or ethnic minority groups;

(B) Women;

(C) Individuals with disabilities; and

(D) The elderly.

(3) To determine personnel qualifications, the Secretary considers experience and training, in fields related to the objectives of the project, as well as other information that the applicant provides.

(c) Budget and cost effectiveness. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that the project has an adequate budget and is cost effective.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) The budget for the project is adequate to support the project activities; and

(ii) Costs are reasonable in relation to the objectives of the project.

(d) Evaluation plan. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the quality of the evaluation plan for the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows methods of evaluation that are appropriate for the project and, to the extent possible, are objective and produce data that are qualifiable.

(e) Adequacy of resources. (5 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows that the applicant plans to devote adequate resources to the project.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) The facilities that the applicant plans to use are adequate; and

(ii) The equipment and supplies that the applicant plans to use are adequate.

(f) Importance. (10 points) (1) The Secretary reviews each application for information demonstrating that the proposed project addresses national concerns in light of the purposes of this part.

(2) The Secretary looks for information that shows—

(i) The significance of the problem or issue to be addressed;

(ii) The importance of the proposed project in increasing the understanding of the problem or issue;

(iii) The experiences of service providers related to the problem or issue; and

(iv) Previous research findings related to the problem or issue.

(g) Impact. (10 points) The Secretary reviews each application for information that shows the probable impact of the proposed project in educating youth with disabilities, including—

(1) The contribution that the project findings or products will make to current knowledge or practice; and

(2) The extent to which findings and products will be disseminated to, and used for the benefit of, appropriate target groups.

(h) Technical soundness. (40 points) The Secretary reviews each application for information demonstrating the technical soundness of the research or evaluation plan, including—

(1) The design (10 points);

(2) The proposed sample (10 points);

(3) Instrumentation (10 points); and

(4) Data analysis procedures (10 points).

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 1820-0028)